Ed Pettiss

Ed Pettiss is an experienced startup mentor and executive with a strong background in entrepreneurship, marketing, and management. Since 2013, Ed has contributed to the regional startup ecosystem through pro-bono mentorship and leadership roles at Insight Strategy LLC, NC IDEA, and CED, focusing on strategy, management, and pitch guidance for early-stage ventures. As the Chair of the Seed Fund Advisory Board at The Launch Place and a member of the Core Grant Review team, Ed supports promising startups with capital and mentorship. Ed serves as an Executive-in-Residence at North Carolina State University, aiding in the commercialization of university research, and has a history of high-impact mentoring at institutions such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With an MBA from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor's in Economics from Duke University, Ed's extensive experience includes senior leadership roles at Weston Solutions, Inc., and FMC Corporation.